Radio: Introduction to radio

Radio: Introduction to radio

Our final media topic is radio.

We have two CSPs to study and also need to consider the place for radio in a digital media landscape.

Radio CSPS

War of the Worlds – Columbia Broadcasting Company (1938)

The Surgery – BBC Radio 1 (2017)

These are targeted CSPs and need to be studied with reference to two elements of the Theoretical Framework (Audiences and Industries) and all relevant contexts. 

Example exam questions

Briefly define public service broadcasting (PSB) [2 marks]

To what extent is War of the Worlds a historically significant media product? [20 marks]

Identify two strategies or techniques used by Radio 1 to attract a youth audience. Explain the reason for each. [4 marks]

Explain how regulatory contexts shape the output of media industries. You should refer to your radio Close Study Product, The Surgery. [9 marks]

Key question: Is radio still relevant in the digital age?

How does radio respond to the digital media landscape we now find ourselves in. Will younger audiences listen to the radio? Does it have influence? Are podcasts the future for younger listeners?


BBC Sounds

BBC Sounds is a new app designed to bring younger listeners to BBC Radio content. It aims to fulfil its requirements as a public service broadcaster while also responding to the demands of the digital media landscape.




The ShoutOut Network

The Shoutout Network is a London-based network of diverse podcasts designed to give a platform for BAME voices. It demonstrates the rise of independent media producers in the 21st century media landscape. The representation of minority voices also arguably provides an element of public service broadcasting.





Introduction to radio: blog tasks

Create a new blogpost called 'Introduction to Radio' on your Media 2 Coursework blog and complete the following tasks:

BBC Sounds

Read this Guardian feature on the launch of BBC Sounds and answer the following questions:

1) Why does the article suggest that ‘on the face of it, BBC Radio is in rude health’?

 It has half the national market, with dozens of stations reaching more than 34 million people a week. Radio 2 alone reaches 15 million listeners a week and for all the criticism of the Today programme (“editorially I think it’s in brilliant shape,” says Purnell), one in nine Britons still tune in to hear John Humphrys and his co-presenters harangue politicians every week.

2) What percentage of under-35s use the BBC iPlayer catch-up radio app?
Purnell says just 3% of under-35s use the iPlayer catch-up radio app, which will soon be axed.

3) What is BBC Sounds?a new app and website that will bring radio live-streams, catch-up services, music mixes and podcasts together under one roof

4) How do audiences listen to radio content in the digital age?
A growing number of people listen to the radio via voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa. 

5) What does Jason Phipps suggest is important for radio and podcast content aimed at younger audiences?
He says there is a need to reconsider the entire tone of how the BBC tells stories, shifting away from rigid formality if it wants to attract the precious under-35 audience: “It has to be a warmer, more story-led journey. You need to report the very personal experience of it.
6) Why does the BBC need to stay relevant?

And because the BBC is really important and valued by licence fee [payers] it’s got to continue to be relevant.

“Otherwise you leave the BBC set in aspic and increasingly irrelevant. If you believe in the BBC you have to let [it] flourish in spaces where it can have a greater public value than market impact. That’s what we seek to do: be relevant.”

Now read this review of the BBC Sounds app.

7) What content does the BBC Sounds app offer?
 The big idea is that you download the app and then go to BBC Sounds for anything audio (apart from long-form audio books). Music, news, drama, documentaries, true crime, comedy – if you want it in your ears, you start with the orange button. 

8) How does it link to BBC Radio?
The app lets you click through to any live BBC radio station, but it also offers you other forms of listening, from podcasts to playlists

9) What are the criticisms of the BBC Sounds app?
Sounds is easy to use, though I found the programme information a little tricky to access, and the search – as ever with the BBC – isn’t sensitive enough. (Looking for the new 5 Live podcast about the Waco siege, I typed in “5 Live Waco”, but only got old programmes). My other main problem is there isn’t enough content. “Spooky Sounds” only offered me 11 shows; “Be Curious” just 10.

10) Two new podcasts were launched alongside the BBC Sounds app. What are they and why might they appeal to younger audiences?

To celebrate the new app, the BBC launched a couple of new podcasts, including the aforementioned 5 Live Waco series End of Days(make sure you use a capital D in search, or it won’t turn up: insert rolly-eye emoticon here), and Beyond Today, a 20-minute podcast that delves deeper into the big stories the Today programme. it may attract young audiences as they are talking about the topics of today and the problems young people may relate to.

ShoutOut Network

Read this Huffington Post feature on the Shout Out Network and answer the following questions:

1) What is the ShoutOut Network?

the ShoutOut Network wanted to create a space for young people from rough backgrounds to tell their stories. He wanted the SON to feel safe, honest and raw

2) What podcasts are offered by the ShoutOut Network?

NOT ANOTHER BOOK PODCAST

Not Another Book Podcast is a book podcast that says what you’re thinking but too afraid to say. Every fortnight we share popular and unpopular opinions about the books you love.

UNARCHIVED HISTORY

Unarchived History is five episode mini-series focused on making history accessible. Each episode focuses on a different local site across London bringing you the hidden histories of your local areas. Hosted by Micha and Dan.

WANNA BE

Wanna Be is a weekly a goals and development podcast that takes the listener from where they are to where they wanna be in 30 minutes or less. Hosted by Imrie (formerly Melanin Millennials).

WOLVES IN THE CITY PODCAST

Wolves In The City is a podcast for queer black men exploring their sexuality in the city.

Hosted by Lee Gray, Karnage Kills and Jay Jay Revlon.

3) What audience do they reach?

they try and target themselves towards young people

4) What are the 2015 statistics on podcast listening in the UK?

According to the Online Journalism Blog, RAJAR provided data that from autumn 2015, 3.7 million adults listen to podcasts which equate to around 6.5% of the adult population.

5) The article suggests podcasts are ‘picking up more steam’. Do you think podcasts the future of radio?

i woulode aqgree to some extent aqs people dont really have time to plan their day around listening to the radio but